Improvement in fracture repair is to the point that most fractures have at least a fair prognosis. However the techniques are expensive, often require intensive care, and cannot be done in the field. Repair requires transportation to an equine surgical facility and often the horse's prognosis may be reduced by the damage done during transportation possibly to the point that repair is not an option. This article discusses evaluation, management including splinting, and transportation of horses with leg fractures. Treatment and prognosis of particular fractures can be found in the Lameness Topic under the particular location of the fracture, ...more.

The transport problem mainly occurs with complete fractures of a long bone that result is non-weight bearing. Horses with chip and slab fractures or non displaced ulnar fractures usually can be transported without complications. The ideal temporary immobilization devices should neutralize the forces acting to displace the fracture; be easy to apply in the most difficult situations, preferably with the horse standing; be comfortable for the patient; and be lightweight.

The patient's physical status, including vital signs should be looked at first. Though excessive blood loss is an uncommon complication of equine fractures, anxiety and pain may lead to circulatory shock. The injured limb should then be inspected for location of the problem, presence of edema, stability of the limb, crepitation, bleeding skin lacerations, or bruising.

Shock caused by blood loss from laceration of a major vessel is rare but may be seen occasionally in fractures of the femur or breakdown injuries involving the fetlock and is caused by laceration of a major vessel, such as the popliteal or median artery, respectively. Compromised blood supply to the distal limb may result from prolonged, excessive stretching of vasculature, inducing vasospasms. Nerve damage as a result of a fracture rarely occurs except in humeral and proximal radial fractures, in which the radial nerve may be damaged.